I have posted some pictures of the process in other threads, but I wanted to put it all in one place so here it is. Documenting our Xtreme experience with our headlight, step, stage 1 (modified), compartment add on upgrades. As I said, some of these pictures have already been posted so no need to weary your eyes if this sort of thing bores you... ;D Me, I can't get enough... I have terminal case of the Foretravel sickness... ::)
Don
And Some More...
Looks like it is coming along very nice Don. Keep the photo's coming.
Larry
Hi Don,
Like your new work. Where the new piece joins the existing fiberglass, what is the redish, and brown color from? Keep the info coming. I enjoy it!
Raymond
Don and Tys--Merry Christmas and a very prosperous new year. The mods look nice. Are you living in the coach or staying in the apt and how long is all this going to take? We got a 4 day break in the weather and headed home to Oh from Pueblo, CO this morning. Should get there this weekend just in time to winterize before the temps go south again. Keep the pictures coming.
Rich and Peggy
Don, Happy New Year! Looking forward to seeing pics of the finished product.
Don - The mods look GREAT. Makes me wish I had a few extra sheckels...... ^.^d
The reddish and brown color are what is left after Rance ground of a layer of gel coat to make a trough to fill with resin and woven fiberglass mat to join the parts to the front cap. The initial bonding with two part polyurethane is just to hold it in position while they bond the parts together with resin and fiberglass. in the end, it will be gel coated seamlessly by the art of these guys... very impressed with the talent and knowledge these guy possess! I have total faith in the outcome... ^.^d
Don
Thanks Rich! We are staying in the apartment but it will be a tight squeeze to get in all the mods we have scheduled because someone else is coming who needs the apartment on the 2nd of January. We are hoping that it can all happen, but it will be a close call. Because we have Moonshadow (the dash burrowing cat) it won't work to have the coach in the shop during the day time and sleep in it at night. The fumes would be too much...
I am sure it will work out somehow in the end. Perhaps the next person will be delayed as we were... Wishful thinking I know! We really want that step mod now... We wish you safe traveling on your way home!
Don & Tys
I stayed in the apartment too. My time was summer but is was great and Christian and family lived next door.
Some more from (mostly) today...
Don
Very nice. I am sooo jealous.
This is on my to-do list.
Roger
Don,did Rance renew the gelcoat where they removed the decals.
First coat of gelcoat on the front, yet to be sanded. Parked outside for the weekend so I can do a few things to her... So far, most of the decals have just been scraped off, no buffing or anything else. There is some checking underneath where the dark green stripes were, so we have to figure out a graphics scheme that will cover all of that area. Unfortunately that means more paint than I wanted, but I still don't really want just the original stripes repainted. Maybe a light solid color over the area of the stripes that will have a bit of graphics superimposed around/over it... We are still trying to come up with something.
Don
Don, you and Tys getting the two step modification, some say it same as a country coach. Our 05 had a single slide out step. On this 01 we converted the fold down to two step slide out, Brad M. suggestion as I recall.
This conversion greatly reduced my air system losses. I need to get by and ask Rance or James, I probably missed their instruction of how to lubricate the slide out step....found after a year it sluggish to retract. David Whitehead noticed it, I think he just sprayed some silicone lube on the rails but not sure, anyway lube fixed it. We really like the steps for safety if not convenience.
By the way, I think Kent and someone discussed if there is safety stop if the step hit a bit of pressure when extending...mine does not, better be out of the way!
Mike
Don, thanks for running by MOT. I've sent you a PM. That new front end reeaaalllyy is looking good. Cant wait to see the final product.
Larry
I don't think there is any active sensor on the step, just that the fuse will blow if the motor gets overloaded. I am not sure what that would take, but I don't plan on testing it! I would like to figure out some sort of sensor like maybe a optical infra red emitter and a photo cell to trigger a retract, but only why extending. Future project?
Don
I was the one who voiced the warning. Jeff's modified 95, U320 tried to sever my right leg below the knee. Jeff S is the one who said his 2002 step has a pressure switch that would stop the process of opening if it felt back pressure. If it doesn't, that step is powerful. I think it could break a leg under the right circumstances.
To recap, several years ago when Jeff was just on his second coach the Xtreme 95, we stopped in a town in Texas where he was parked beside a curb. I went up to his coach to talk. My foot was in the gutter. When I opened his door the step started coming out toward my shin. The step would have come out just above curb level. I was able to get out of the way just in time.
FROM KENT:
"Jeff's modified 95, U320 tried to sever my right leg below the knee. Jeff S is the one who said his 2002 step has a pressure switch that would stop the process of opening if it felt back pressure. If it doesn't, that step is powerful. I think it could break a leg under the right circumstances."
Our 02 step conversation has a built in pressure switch. Just checked and if it hits your leg will not even leave a bruise. I will check with James Stallings on Monday and see if they have a kit to convert the older model.
That is interesting Jeff! I will need to make sure that the step assembly we are getting isn't old stock such that it doesn't have that feature. Does it retract when it hits an obstacle or just stop? Also, how did you test it? Hopefully not by offering your shin as a potential sacrifice in the pursuit of knowledge... Inquiring minds want to know!
Don
Don, I'm wondering if Jeff used Carol as the potential step stopper!!!!!!!!!!! She hasn't commented, she may be in the back preparing a little sweet revenge :)) :))
Larry
That is interesting Jeff! I will need to make sure that the step assembly we are getting isn't old stock such that it doesn't have that feature. Does it retract when it hits an obstacle or just stop? Also, how did you test it? Hopefully not by offering your shin as a potential sacrifice in the pursuit of knowledge... Inquiring minds want to know!.
"how did you test it".
Ask Kent !!
It is a wonder that I did not go to the coach and test it just because I am head-slappingly curious. Mr Wonderful tested it himself ... because he does stuff like that before thinking about possible unhappy outcomes. Just ask our friends, who were here on Christmas for dinner and watched him pop an entire dried Japones pepper in his mouth to see how hot it was. Jeff is always entertaining!!!
If I am following this correctly, the newer slide out steps will stop if they hit something (like your leg) and maybe they will retract sort of like a reversing garage door opener.
What happens when you leave the coach. Is there a switch to close the steps if you want them closed while you are away? Are they normally open if the engine is not running like the fold down step?
Just wondering.
Roger
Of course I used my shin. How else would you know if it hurt? AND that pepper wasn't only hot, but made my eyeballs weep.
Roger, step just stops if hits an object, then retracts when you close the door. We have a switch near the door so we can either keep it out (when parked) or have it retract every time the screen door or outer door closes.
This is exactly how ours operates. Ours was the first retro fit done by FOT in late 2009 (these were steps originally designed only for the newer coaches at that time). We bought it on consignment and the PO/original owner had already made arrangements for FOT to do the retro fit just before we inked the deal. They are wonderful (wide, deep, and very stable)... but we're not as brave as Jeff to stand in front of it and test its safety stop feature! :o
I have been assured by Rance that the behavior of the step assy we are getting is as described by Jeff. Another question for those who may have thoughts about this idea. I asked Greg about painting the horizontal surfaces of the steps with the roof system they use here at Xtreme and he said they have done several step conversions this way. Sounds good to me... but he seemed to think that black would be the best option for keeping clean. I see from pictures of folks who have full body paint that the entire step assy is painted coach color. What think you? Of course the vertical surfaces need to match the gel coat. I am thinking that as long as the black starts about where the current non-skid tread starts, the black shouldn't show when the steps are retracted. On the other hand, if it was all white, then it wouldn't show and may look better when the steps are out, as long as the non-skid surface isn't too hard to clean. The practical thing would probably be to have the non skid area black... decisions, decisions! :-\
By the way, I did the initial fitment and installation of the compartment over the weekend to try and help the schedule of upgrades be more doable. If that thing was a millimeter larger, it would not have fit! as it was, I had to grind out a weld tab and flatten the weld seems of the box on the corners, bevel the edges all the way around, and buy some long bar clamps to bring the bottom of the box in that last quarter of an inch. Also, an A/C receiver/dryer was mounted in the way (with plumbers tape! I hope that wasn't factory original :o ) to the other frame member. Man those A/C lines are stiff!
Don
Don,ask Greg if they can paint the steps with refrigerator white epoxy,should be a close match for the gel coat.
The bottom of my coach is black, as is my Kwikee step. The horizontal surfaces haven't been a problem as finished by Xtreme, but the vertical face that shows when the step is closed scratches during use(probably from the toes of cowboy boots). I think you're right to look for a more durable finish there.
One other cause of scratches on HORIZONTAL surface are small rocks which, if not swept away before the steps are retracted, will scrape/gouge across the vertical surface when the step retracts. :(
Fortunately, the non-skid step covers took most of the rock abuse/damage. We'll need to be a bit more vigilant with these replacement covers, as they are not quite as deep.... and more of the finished vertical surface of the steps is exposed.
To answer an earlier question of Don's, this photo also shows that the beige/cream color paint on the vertical surface actually comes up onto the horizontal surface just a bit.
Enjoy your new steps!
I will let them paint the vertical sections of the step to match the white gel coat on the rest of the coach, but will have them paint the horizontal surfaces with a black nonskid roof type paint to within about 3/4" of the perimeter of the stepping surface creating a border which will be white. We will see how that lasts... I figure I can laminate some white FRP to the vertical surfaces if the paint scuffs too badly over time. In the mean time, here are a few more pictures...
Don
Don, it looks like the project is coming along very nicely. It helps to get a handle on how labor intensive this is, but soooo well worth it. How much longer are you scheduled to be there? Hope all is well.
Larry
Thanks Larry,
It is fairly labor intensive, but I am thrilled by the results. Thursday, we will sit down with Brittany (pretty sure that is her name, we haven't met her yet), and decide about the graphics. The gel coat is in pretty good condition according to Greg, and it shined up nicely. We will probably replace the swoops with lighter colors, and some sort of color band along the mid band to hide most of the ghosting from the darker decals. I will feel a lot bettr when that decision gets made! We should be done by end of day Friday... It is hard to believe, but these folks have made believers out of us. If it doesn't happen quite that way, I am sure that it won't be for lack of trying on their part.
Don & Tys
Don - After painting, for a little extra protection on the vertical section apply a piece of clear plastic like diamond shield or whatever they might have on hand.
Don,
Check with James Stallings before installing any of that shield stuff. I do not think he likes it anymore than I do.
James can paint the front of the coach with impact protection under the paint and therefore any repairs do not require the removal of the shield and the front will never ever look like crap when the shield goes to pot. Do not know it that applies to stripes only but James will know for sure.
Two of my Aqua Hot customers have had him remove the horrible looking front shield from their few year old coaches.
This is my vote to do what James thinks is best.
Rudy - I was only suggesting the plastic shield for the vertical section of the step - not the front of the coach.
Mark,
Well then, I certainly miss understood you. Sorry for the error and interesting idea.
Happy New Year to you all.
Mark, Rance did suggest that they could put the clear shield over it. We just went through camp Foretravel on the way to Lufkin to see who might be there. We were able to meet "The other Brett" and see his beautiful full body paint job (coach and car both!), Josh, not sure of his forum handle, and Jerry (aka Murph) Maddux. Anyway there is a Foretravel on consignment there (05'?) that has a "not so clear" clear shield on the front that also had it applied over the step facia, which was likewise not so clear... I don't think that I would want that stuff anywhere on the coach! We will live with the paint for now I think... I still have some of fiberglass skin that I used for the utility bay floor and will use that as my plan "B". That stuff is very cleanable and rugged and UV resistant.
Don
Don - how about some of the stainless armor bling that Bill W. linked in another post - they specifically have step cladding http://rvstainless.com/StepUpgrades/tabid/66/Default.aspx (http://rvstainless.com/StepUpgrades/tabid/66/Default.aspx) and I think this might be the one for the Kwikee Series 42 http://rvstainless.com/EntrywayUpgrades/OriginalSlideSteps/tabid/90/Default.aspx (http://rvstainless.com/EntrywayUpgrades/OriginalSlideSteps/tabid/90/Default.aspx)
Interesting! Thanks for the link Michelle. I am a stainless steel junkie, but I might have to go for the whole coach package to match if got the step cladding :D. Maybe I might roll my own set from brushed stainless. The polished does show scratches and is a whole lot harder to bring back to new, especially if it has a clear coat on it. The brushed stainless can be renewed with a little elbow grease and a Scotchbrite pad, and if the scratches are deeper, some fine emory cloth first. When I did my utility compartment, I was pretty disappointed by the time I got the fitment right. There were numerous scratches that I worked with emory cloth, and then the Scotchbrite. It looked pristine when I was finished. Of course it won't stay that way in use, but so far so good and I can always clean it up again.
Don
Thanks for the picture Patricia! Keeping it swept before retraction sounds like a good idea to me! Maybe a door sweep could be fitted to it... Do you have any pictures of it in the closed position with the coach door closed? I would guess that the steps only close when the door is closed? ::)
Don
Coming down to the wire now... a monkey wrench potentially thrown in. One of the painters discovered a small area of delamination near the large kitchen window awning support on the passenger side of the coach while masking it off. It escaped all previous inspections... It is not raised up and Greg doesn't think it is likely caused by water intrusion. The verbal estimated to fix was 6 to 8 hours. Since someone has the apartment booked we have elected to just take a wait and see approach. If we decide to have it fixed later, the extra work to redo the paint will add about 6 hours or so to the job. Not that money isn't an issue, but I would elect to have it fixed in a heartbeat if they could accommodate us, but we would have to find a place that would allow pets for a short stay and move out of the apartment and into said place and then in a few days, back into the coach. :-\ Not going to happen... After giving it much thought and talking to Greg and Rance, we are going ahead with the paint and keep an eye on the area in question for possible progression. It may have been there for years without progressing and it may not progress now. Possibly we will be back in a year getting it fixed, but maybe not... pretty bummed out to get the news, but life goes on >:( :'(
In other news, we picked a color scheme to deal with the ghosting and are pretty happy with it and think it will turn out to be pretty complimentary to the overall looks of the coach. I am attaching a picture of the graphic artist's mock up of the scheme, but the colors aren't accurate by any means. What looks like a yellow is a tan gold, and the darker blue is really much lighter mettalic blue, the wide stripe and all the graphics are outlined in the same tan gold. The broad stripe which serves as a background for the figures is a gradient from a fairly light metallic blue on the bottom to a light metallic bluish silver. Of course pictures of the actual will follow so you can see for yourself. Also, there are some pictures of the steps after the white paint and the supports made by Rance, and some pictures of the coach being prepped for painting, and the generator hatch.
Hopefully it will all come together, but it is an anxiety provoking process!
Don
It's going to look great Don. Gold and blue...and you two are from San Diego...humm. Did the Chargers have anything to do with your color selection? Are those swirls or just softened lighting bolts? If not it must be the subliminal effect of living there for so many years. :)
That looks like a great plan Don. They do great work there. I am sure you will be pleased. Speaking of steps I sent mine off to the powder coating shop today myself and I was surprised it only cost $45 to powder coat the whole thing. Will be glad to have that done. Can't wait to see your finished product and meet you two down the road someday.
Mark
Really like the design you're getting. It will look great! Can't wait to see it when you get to Quartzsite!
No, John, we chose those colors in spite of the Chargers and any possible association people might make! The blue is the color of our toad (Light blue Honda Fit) and gold seems to be the standard for outlining swirls these days. Still, our gold shade is leaning towards tan and we both like those colors.
It was a tough decision to move away from the forest green because the awnings are that color, but like Don said, we would probably be replacing the awnings way sooner than the paint!
Meanwhile, we are both anxiously awaiting the "unveiling" of the final result today! :-X
Tys and Don
Thanks Dave! I can't wait to meet you guys and see your work of art in person... Ours is not as dramatic a makeover as yours, but we think (hope!) we will be pleased with the results. Just seeing the headlight conversion makes a huge difference.
Don & Tys
Thanks Mark! Looking forward to meet you guys down the road and seeing your "U285" Special :D that has got to be one of the more unique 99' 270's out there...
Don
Looks great Don, hope you bought your last coach first with all the effort, time and expense you are going through.
Interesting, on rendering they show the old headlights. WOnder why not showing your new ones? I had delam on U-270 (dryer vent) and had it fixed at Xtreme. Have had delam on front of slide since I bought the coach, still watching and it is not growing.
LOVE those steps. That upgrade is on my radar, along with probably getting the delam taken care of at the same time, probably in next 18 - 24 months.
Thanks Tim,
I mentioned that to Brittany (the artist)... it is just part of their stock clip art. It would be nice to see the headlight upgrades in the rendering, but I was using my imagination ;D . It is encouraging to hear that the delam on your slide hasn't progressed. I suspect that the delam on ours has been there for years, maybe from the factory... probably not that uncommon I suspect :o
Don
Don--We're a little jealous (of the paint, step and the fact that you're in your coach). It'd going down to -10 here on Monday night and I have (I hope) the coach shut down and all winterized and ready for the big chill. I'm starting on the interior rework this week. We'll be having the upholstery redone in the next 8 weeks along with new MCD shades. Should be ready to roll again in the late Spring. Hope to see your final product somewhere on down the road.
Rich and Peggy
Thanks Rich! We are looking forward to crossing paths with you guys as well... You meet the nicest people in a Foretravel! Seeing the painted graphics on your coach made me want to minimize the paint in favor of maintaining shiny gelcoat on ours... It ended up not quite as minimal as I originally wanted, but the design is growing on me as we watch it take shape in the paint shop. In the end, I think I will be happy with the way it worked out. Tys likes it a lot, and that is of course the most important part! ;D
More Pictures in process... :D
The delam on the slides is usually on first generation sludes. They used the wrong mastic that ate away the foam. Where it was on wood it was really strong. I had mine repaired at xtreme a couple years ago.
Don, that is going to be stunning!!! I really like the way it is shaping up. The only bad part is all the ideas you are putting in my head ??? ???
FYI when we were in Nac last year, we stayed at the La Quinta with the two dogs. They are pet friendly. The rooms were nice enough. The only down side for us, we went in August (stupid yes, but had to pick up grands) and the room was so humid that we had to wring out the clothes before we could wear them. The AC was on all night, but everything was soaking wet. The clerk said it was common for that time of year.
Keep the pics coming, hope to catch up with you all somewhere down the line and see the big difference in person.
Larry
Larry, my first teaching Call was in Houston. I stayed only one year - now you know why.
Thanks for the head's up on the La Quinta and the compliments. As it turned out, there are still some Monday morning details to take care of, so we will be staying in our coach after we move out in the morning. They made a valiant effort to finish, but I think the light of day on monday will tweak the outcome to end up with an even better result. Here is a picture of the more or less finished product. Colors are muted, but not nearly as much as they appear in the picture taken in the twilight. We will post better pictures as we go. I will attempt to make an album that is more or less chronological of the whole process. By the way, we absolutely love it! ^.^d
Don & Tys
Don,
Looks great! What a journey you have had from our first phone call to now. Lots of fun to be had with your new home.
BTW, take good care of that white gasket around the entry door, only available in black now.....
Way cool.
Tim
Outstanding. What a great-looking coach.
Thanks all! Tim, it has been a long, strange, trip... to paraphrase an old song. I feel like we have rounded the corner now though... here is a before picture as it sat when I called you back in September of 11'. And here is a picture of it now from almost the same angle... It looked okay then, but it looks nicer to my our eyes now. Especially to my eyes knowing all the behind the scenes improvements I have made. Most will never be seen in the light of day. It is nice to have one upgrade that actually shows! :D
P.S. Tys did a great job of picking out colors (with just a bit of input from me... ;)!
Don
Don that looks great. I am sure you are glad that is behind you and you can relax a while. Thanks for taking us on the journey with you.
Mark
Don & Tys,
Wow! It looks 1000 times better than it did all taped up in the paint booth today!
Congratulations,
Jerry aka Murph
Don and Tys,
LOVE it!
Lots of water under the bridge since our first bulkhead PM's!
ENJOY!
Thanks for the EXCELLENT sharing.
Would love to see all in person.
Coming to Florida?
Maybe you shouldn't (only 50F tonight). Brrrrrrrrrr!
Neal
Thanks for stoping by Jerry... It also smells a thousand times better too! It was amazing to watch these guys work their magic. I am glad you got to see a little of it. Sage traveling to you and Cindy!
Don & Tys
David,
I know the feeling. We have kids living SW of Houston. They want us to move in with them. They will pay the bills, buy the food, etc. I would mow the grass and DW clean the house. Thanks for the offer, buuuttttt, I don't think they can AC the whole area around the city :D :D
Don,
what can I say but Fabulous!!! Joy & I both love what you've done. I'm not sure which I like the most, the paint, lights or steps. Definitely on the radar for us down the road when we get ours. Until the next time we get to meet, be safe down the road.
Larry
Thanks Neal,
Your encouragement, not to mention your manifold informative posts on the forum were invaluable to me as I worked through the process. Even though I ultimately had to come up with my own solutions given the individual nature of our issues, my skills, facilities, and tools, I always felt like there were options.
We do plan plan on getting to Florida sometime, but not this trip. Looking forward to meeting up one of these days!
Don
Beautiful! I would like you to keep tabs on how many times you say to one another,"Gosh! I am SO glad we had that step conversion!!". I am guessing it will top 50 in the next 2 weeks. SO worth every nickel.
Don/Tys
Beautiful coach! I'm sure it's nice to be home. Hope to see you in Q.
Safe travels,
Josh
@Don... I never did find a picture of our steps and coach door closed... and by the time George returned, to see if he had an image on his computer... you had already posted the paint job on YOUR new stairs!
They're fabulous... and as everyone says... you and Tys will LOVE them! They are SO stable/solid and, even when the coach front end is raised, I've never felt the need to carry an auxiliary step (and I'm 5'3" with short legs).
Hi Josh,
Nice to meet you at Camp Foretravel the other day... We are looking forward to Quartzsite and a whole lotta Foretravel goodness! ;D
Don & Tys
Thanks for looking Patricia! We are still getting used to them, but I am sure that once we are, it will be like "how did we ever manage without them?"
Don
Not to mention that they look so cool! It is almost worth it for that alone... :D Hope to see you and "Mr Wonderful" at Q!
Don
I believe there should be some kind of a donation box for Don and Tys for the entertainment value in watching the progress in their coach. What a wonderful instructional on EVERY aspect of these coaches. The only thing that they have that is original in their original purchase a couple of years ago is the bill-of-sale. Even the title is changed with their name on it. Thanks so much for the photos and ihe opportunity to follow your progress on all the upgrades. I've anxiously opened the forum site wach day to see what has happened in the on-going saga.
Well gee thank you Larry :D ! Along with the donations, there should be a slip of paper which suggests future projects to put the money towards, because I can't seem to think any of my own ::)
Don
I am glad we have the weekend to live with it so that I have a chance to catch a few little details that escaped in the mad rush to get it outside the paint booth late Friday afternoon... The white paint on the outside of the steps is not as durable as I had hoped. Not sure what is to be done about it at this point. A lot of buffing compound remains to be cleaned off of the gel coat, Genny door needs some adjustment, things like that.
To the good though, the colors look amazing! Form an oblique angle, the blues go much darker and much more contrast between the blue swoops (which are the color of the toad almost exactly), and the gradient background. It is like we have two different coaches! ;D Love, love, the colors... here are two pics taken at the same time of day. Sun is out and the only difference is the angle the light is hitting it.
EDIT: To add two more pictures from Saturday with a clear sky. The coach isn't ready for her beauty shots yet, but I can't resist...
Don
The slip of Paper, electric fridge, induction cook top,new pure sine wave inverter,one more battery. ^.^d
I forgot one, retrofit hydro hot unit.
Nice looking
Hi Don & Tys,
Your coach sure looks great. Thanks for all the updates, and pictures.
Raymond
Talking of blinds, does anyone have any that they took off for the MCD I need to replce the ones in the U240 and do not want to spring for new if possible. 2 living, 1 dining and 2 bedroom. I will get sizes if someone has any. Secondly, has anyone an idea what MCD manual ones for side windows cost approx?? If I cannot find any for 240 I may remoce ours and get MCD for the U295.
John H
If I and my u320 follow you home will you keep me?
very nice Don and Tys!
Next trip to Xteme, those LED rears really would add to your coach...
:-)
Sure Tim,
I would love the LED taillights conversion... But in the big scheme of things, not high enough in my list of priorities to open the money Spigot. So I intend to do LED taillights the poortravel way. And that is to find the best of the Ford Econoline taillight LED fixtures of the many that are out there and install them. To me, the Ford tail light fixtures are not nearly the eyesore (in more ways than one!) that the F150 headlight fixtures are. On ours, the fixtures still look in good shape, so I may just remodel them to use some LEDs (not LED retrofit bulb replacement type. I will still have to work something out for the third brake light, but I think I can manage that. I am accumulating the LED running light fixtures (The ones found by Gary Omel from the local truck supply, thanks Gary!) and will want to add LEDs to the side marker lights and add a third side marker light on each side near the middle of the coach. On the other hand, it would be nice to get rid of the fake scoops and have them clean up that area and put new molding on the back and then perhaps the LED lights would be more justifiable... still undecided about whether not I want to dump the luggage rack and the ladder, so I will postpone that for future consideration... Assuming I have any money left :o
Don
That one is already on our list Michelle ^.^d
Don,
JK, I have step envy, wanted to give you LED envy.
You have done a nice job with the money spigot lately..... :-)
Not sure what you mean by a slip of paper... The fridge is planned, an Danfoss compressor based Nova kool RFU9000 Nova Kool RFU9000 Marine and RV Refrigerator - AC / DC (http://baymarinesupply.com/store/refrigeration/marine-rv-refrigerators-icemakers/nova-kool-rfu9000-marine-rv-refrigerator.html). We like cooking with gas, so no plans to ever have an all electric coach. A new 3000 watt Victron Multiplus pure sine wave inverter or possibly the new Magnum Hybrid inverter, as well as 800W of Unisolar solar system and a Midnight Classic 150W charge controller. As for the batteries, I have my eye on lithium iron phosphate battery technology (some good info on the technology here:http://www.technomadia.com/lithium/ to store the power in. And as far hydro hot, I am thinking of something more along the lines of that Primus type propane based system, but that is way out there at this point. The rest of the items I mentioned are on the radar...
Don
That's an interesting refrigerator. Have you done any electrical calculations vs a standard residential box running on inverter?
Chuck, I did do some quick and dirty calculations, but I don't remember exactly what came out of it... But I seem to remember that it was a bit better than typical residential of a similar capacity. Too tired to look it up now. However, there were other things that sold me on it. Dimensions that actually fit the opening with little or no cutting. One more cubic foot of capacity with lower overall height. Enough lower to possibly add a small drawer underneath or cabinet overhead. A mounting flange. The ability to add wood inserts to match our coach. We actually like the way the old one looks. We don't want it to look like a house inside! Built in locks, no big deal... but still something in the positive column. Bottom freezer. Stainless steel fasteners and hinges. Danfoss compressor with A/C or DC operation. Maybe a more which I can't think of right now...
Don
Okay, last pictures until she gets her beauty pics after the wash and detail at extreme in the next day or two.
Don, I like the X270 designation.
Mark
American Duo Price Guide (http://www.mcdinnovations.com/index.php/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=104&Itemid=51)
This is the URL for pricing. I am having new blinds installed at Tenn RV in March and you are more than welcome to the old ones. I only have one in bedroom though. Let me know. David
Very Nice... ^.^d
I like the way you think. The last thing I want is to make this coach look like a "house" inside, and all the other items add up in the aesthetics and functionality dept.
Your coach is looking great! Did you go with the HID lights?
Thanks Chuck. We did go withe the HID low beams. They are German made Philips with 35w ballasts and 6000K lamps. I am sure I will end up using 10 gage or better wire and installing relays to bring the voltage up closer to battery. On my list...
I would have been okay with leaving the model number off altogether, but the "ghosts" would have been haunting me... So rather than return to the previous status quo with paint instead of stickers, I just had to tweak it a little :o of course Fofums will know the reference, but if other SOB owners ask me about it, it will give me a chance to hand out Xtreme brochures and enthusiastically endorse their business. Nothing but good things to say about these folks!
Don
Don,
Do you have the details on those headlights? I haven't been able to find them listed anywhere. Thanks!
Good idea to do so. I've actually had the transmission indicator throw snake eyes up when turning on all four HID lights. They seem to pull a high starting current when igniting. I do have them running through a relay fused directly to front elec buss but need to be wired directly back to battery.
WOW! Don your coach looks great. What a change from when we met at FOT back in December. I second the X designation, it really speaks volumes about what real craftsmen can do to an already great coach to make it even better. I was hoping to see the finished product in person when I returned this month for a TV upgrade, but as always things change and I have to reschedule. I hope to see you and Tys down the road some day soon. Good luck in your travels.
Here's a picture of a happy camper! :)) ^.^d
At Camp Foretravel after hooking up the car for our Nacogdoches exodus....
Tys
One good turn deserves another... here is a picture of another happy camper and a few more of our last Xtreme experience for a while... :P
Don
Congrats Tys & Don. The coach looks great. I'm checking out those new covers for the wheels. Maybe they go on next years christmas list...
Safe travels. Let the fun begin!
see ya
ken
Thanks Falconguy... Those "Xtremists" over there on North street are craftsmen indeed. Nothing but good feelings about the money spent there... See you down the road!
Don
D.J.
I ended up buying the HID lights at Xtreme, because I couldn't find a source for those particular light kits on the Internet. It depends on what lamp sockets current lights have and what fits the harness as well. The goal was to have all of the lights including the fog lights use the same form factor lamp. Therefore if the xenon lamps fail, I can bypass the ballast and just use halogen lamps as a quick fix... Even removing the highbeam lamps and using them in a low beams temporarily. I don't know if it will help, but here are a couple pictures of the Phillips packaging...
Don, I haven't read the entire thread, but the coach is like a brand new unit. Looks great. Question: What is the awning color?
Thanks Peter, we considered trying to work the awning color into the scheme but just couldn't come up with anything we liked, so we opted to go for the colors we wanted instead and figure that the awning is going to change before the color of the coach. So to answer your question, the awning colors are Forest green. Now I may not be the most color coordinated person on the planet, but it doesn't look that bad to me! When we replace the awning fabric, we will likely opt for a tan like the gold paint accents for maximum cooling benefits, though sky blue does appeal to me as well.
Don
You made the right decision.
Don it looks marvelous. I am green with envy, but have nothing but happy thoughts for you guys. Have a safe trip and enjoy that rig. Heaven knows you have worked long and hard for it, time to enjoy it for a while.
Larry
Don,
Thanks for the information. It's far more than I had before. I want (at some point in the future) to make a significant headlight upgrade, but I'm not sure which direction I want to go, and so I'm collecting as much information as possible. I'm certainly impressed with the work Xtreme did on your coach. It really looks beautiful! After all of the months or hard work you've put into it, I know you are really going to enjoy using it!
Thanks Ken,
Here is my mini review of the T. Kane Enterprises Prevo hub covers. I like them a lot! Well made, quick and easy to put on after the initial install, and obviously makes cleaning the wheels easier.
Downside is mainly the initial install which requires removing 6 lug nuts to put the brackets on. I did three at a time. The covers are the same whether you have hub centric or bud type wheels, but use different brackets. Since I didn't have access to Bill C's giant torque wrench, I paid FOT to torque the lugs at a cost of 1 shop hour. That is something that I really prefer to do myself, but you gotta trust someone sometime...
The brackets are slotted, and the flanged nuts have a dimple that looks like it was put on with a punch that catches the slot and holds the nut while you tighten them up. The trick is to have the nuts backed off until they are about flush with the ends of the screws. You then take the cap in both hands with a finger and thumb pushing the flat head Allen screws flush with the cover and line the slots up and push it on evenly while maintaining pressure on the screw heads with your finger and thumb. Once all 4 screws are engaging the slot, you can let go of the screw heads and bump it on with the heel of your hand. Removal requires good traction to pull the cover off and I found it helpful to use some gorilla grip type gloves. The fronts could be pried off, but better use something that is softer than the aluminum wheel.
Here are some pictures which should help clarify...
Don